Hiking paths, kayaking locations, outdoor arboretums, and other natural spaces are just some of the ways you may get your dose of the great outdoors in Cincinnati.
If, on the other hand, you want to experience nature on a far more expansive scale, you should go to one of the national parks that are located close to Queen City.
In this post, we discuss the five finest national parks within driving distance of Cincinnati and are worth visiting.
National Parks on a Map
The locations of all of the national parks discussed in this post are shown on the map that follows:
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley is a breathtaking natural environment situated slightly more than three hours to the north of the central business district of Cincinnati. It is the only national park in the state of Ohio.
The park is home to various flora and fauna, including verdant woods, ravines, and waterfalls. The park has many opportunities for many outdoor pursuits, including walking, cycling, fishing, birdwatching, and more.
In addition, the Cuyahoga River, which cuts right through the middle of the national park, has 22 miles of breathtaking landscape that serves as a significant magnet for tourists throughout the whole year.
Size of Park: 32,000 acres
Driving Time from Cincinnati (Downtown): 3 hours and 30 minutes
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is one of the most interesting places within a reasonable driving distance of Cincinnati. It is home to the biggest cave system in the whole world.
Over four hundred and fifty miles of underground pathways are accessible through the park’s different tunnels. In addition to the cave excursions, there are many opportunities for outdoor activities such as horseback riding, fishing, and hiking.
Watch the video that is provided below to get a glimpse of the enormous size of some of the caverns that are located inside the park:
Size of Park: 52,000 acres
Driving Tome from Cincinnati (Downtown): 3 hours and 30 minutes
Indiana Dunes National Park
The Indiana Dunes National Park is a one-of-a-kind destination that can be found in Indiana. The park spans 15 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.
There are more than 80 kilometers (50 miles) of hiking paths in this park, and they pass through marshes, grasslands, woodlands, rivers, and rocky dunes.
Watch the video that we have provided below to get an in-depth look at the national park:
Size of Park: 15,000 acres
Driving Time from Cincinnati (Downtown): 4 hours
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which can be found around five hours’ drive south of Downtown Cincinnati, is the most picturesque national park that you will find on the eastern side of the United States.
The park has approximately 500,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness, woods, rivers, mountains, and waterfalls for visitors to discover and enjoy. There is simply no spot on earth that is superior to visit if you are someone who enjoys going on long walks.
In addition to its breathtaking vistas, the park is home to many remarkable animals.
Size of Park: 522,000 acres
Driving Tome from Cincinnati (Downtown): 5 hours
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park, which can be found in the northern part of Virginia, is well-known for its breathtaking waterfalls, extensive route network, and many opportunities to fish.
There are many possibilities to watch wildlife in the park, including various birds, white-tailed deer, and even black bears.
The months of June through October are considered the most beautiful times of the year to visit this park since this is when the wildflowers are at their peak beauty.
Check out the National Park Service site for ideas on planning your visit.
Size of Park: 200,000 acres
Driving Tome from Cincinnati (Downtown): 6 hours and 30 minutes
